Mr Benson said the disappearance of York St John University student Megan Roberts last month had illustrated the dangers posed by the River Ouse and the importance of having a boat to patrol the river. It would be manned by volunteers and patrol the river during times when people were most at risk of falling or jumping in, such as racedays and Saturday nights.

Megan, 20, has not been seen since early on Thursday, January 23, after a night out with friends. Police believe she probably fell into the Ouse.

Mr Benson, a former head door supervisor from Yates’s Bar near Ouse Bridge, in York city centre, came up with the idea for a rescue boat after helping a woman out of the Ouse last year.

The Press reported last year how Mr Benson lowered a life ring to the young woman who had fallen 25 feet into the river and pulled her to a ledge, from where police officers were able to help her out. He said he was thrilled the boat project had now achieved charitable status.

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“This will give us the grounding to move forward to making a difference to the safety on the River Ouse and also help assist anyone unfortunate enough to become affected by future flooding in the area,” he said.

He is now looking for volunteers and plans to approach local businesses, in particular pubs and clubs, for their support, claiming such businesses had a duty of care for drinkers when they had left their bars.

Mr Benson said he thought he needed to raise between £50,000 and £60,000 and was looking to organise a charity ball in the summer to launch the appeal.

York Central MP Hugh Bayley said the new boat would be a real asset and a help to the emergency services.

“They do a great job but at busy times they are overstretched and the additional boat will be welcome,” he said.

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The project also won backing from Jim Geogheghan-Breen, emergency planning co-ordinator for City of York Council, who chairs the River Ouse Safety Group.

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Comments (2)

What a great idea ,and well done to all concerned .sell the white elephant that is the "spy van" and invest in river boat rescue .We will all see then that the council can identify a REAL problem and direct money to REALY saving lives ..

What a great idea ,and well done to all concerned .sell the white elephant that is the "spy van" and invest in river boat rescue .We will all see then that the council can identify a REAL problem and direct money to REALY saving lives ..civicduty

What a great idea ,and well done to all concerned .sell the white elephant that is the "spy van" and invest in river boat rescue .We will all see then that the council can identify a REAL problem and direct money to REALY saving lives ..

Score: 1

dave benson says...11:23pm Sun 2 Mar 14

civicduty wrote…

What a great idea ,and well done to all concerned .sell the white elephant that is the "spy van" and invest in river boat rescue .We will all see then that the council can identify a REAL problem and direct money to REALY saving lives ..

Thank you for the support. It would be marvellous for the council to invest to get us started. Perhaps a small donation from the fines from the Lendal Bridge closure would be an appropriate gesture, an ounce of good then may come out of an issue that has divided the City.

[quote][p][bold]civicduty[/bold] wrote:
What a great idea ,and well done to all concerned .sell the white elephant that is the "spy van" and invest in river boat rescue .We will all see then that the council can identify a REAL problem and direct money to REALY saving lives ..[/p][/quote]Thank you for the support. It would be marvellous for the council to invest to get us started. Perhaps a small donation from the fines from the Lendal Bridge closure would be an appropriate gesture, an ounce of good then may come out of an issue that has divided the City.dave benson

civicduty wrote…

What a great idea ,and well done to all concerned .sell the white elephant that is the "spy van" and invest in river boat rescue .We will all see then that the council can identify a REAL problem and direct money to REALY saving lives ..

Thank you for the support. It would be marvellous for the council to invest to get us started. Perhaps a small donation from the fines from the Lendal Bridge closure would be an appropriate gesture, an ounce of good then may come out of an issue that has divided the City.

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